Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has delivered a televised address in which he said he had ordered the military to “do whatever is neccessary to restore order”.
He called on the protesters who have occupied his office and other state buildings to leave them and co-operate with authorities.
“We can’t tear up our constitution. We can’t allow fascists to take over. We must end this fascist threat to democracy,” he added.
A BBC correspondent in Colombo said that Mr Wickremesinghe’s latest statement could be an indication that the army is about to enforce security in the capital.
Meanwhile, demonstrators who have taken over the prime minister’s office have erupted in joy, taking selfies, chanting “Ranil lunatic, Gota lunatic” while banging drums and screaming.
On the second floor balcony, just above a sign saying “Prime Minister’s Office”, a crowd of protesters are holding the Sri Lankan flag aloft.
They are delirious with glee, managing to rip the gates open and push through a wall of soldiers – all while enduring hours of teargas.
BBC News
